An Australian warship has fired a test US Tomahawk cruise missilesofficials said Tuesday, hailing a “significant milestone” in the country's decade-long plan to boost its navy in the face of the Asia-Pacific arms race.
HMAS Brisbane fired the Tomahawk on December 3 off the west coast of the United States, the Australian government said in reportmaking it one of only three countries along with the US and Britain to acquire and fire the missile.
“The Royal Australian Navy has achieved a significant milestone in delivering an improved and lethal fleet of surface combatants,” he said.
With an extended range of up to 1,550 miles, the Tomahawk will allow maritime platforms to conduct long-range precision strikes against land targets. The missile “significantly” enhances the Australian military's ability to deter any threat, he said.
The navy released a video of HMAS Brisbane firing several missiles, including the Tomahawk.
Royal Australian Navy
Defense Minister Richard Marles said boosting Australia's defense capabilities and working with partners would “make the calculus for any aggressor.”
The test firing is in line with Australia's plan, announced earlier this year, to spend $7 billion to expand the fleet to 26 major surface combatant ships – up from 11 today.
Pat Conroy, Australia's minister for defense industry and capability delivery, called the test firing a “game changer.” “
“The Tomahawk is the jewel in the crown and a game-changer in our firepower, deterrence and ability to hit land-based targets at ranges never before available to the Royal Australian Navy,” Conroy said.
Australia plans to buy more than 200 Tomahawk missiles to arm some of its warships.
The naval expansion plan comes as China and other powers in the Asia-Pacific and beyond build up their firepower.
Last year, President Biden formally announced that Australia would buy nuclear powered attack submarines from the US A partnership between the US, the UK and Australia, announced in 2021has allowed Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, which are more stealthy and capable than conventionally powered vessels, as a counterweight to China's military buildup.
While the Virginia-class submarines will be nuclear-powered, they will not be armed with atomic weapons and instead are expected to carry long-range cruise missiles.
